Method of making containers



May 14, 1929.

J. A. vHARRISON ET AL METHOD oF MAKING CONTAINERS Filed July 9, 1928 fill .fill

Patented May 14, 1929.

UNITED lSTATES MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS TO HARRISON MFG. CO5, F SHELBY, MICHIGAN, A COR- PORATION oF MICHIGAN.

PATENT OFFICE.

YJOI-IN A. HARRISON, CLIFFORD S. HARRISON AND JOHN E. HARRISON, Ol' SHELBY,

Application mea July 9, 192s. serialfno. 291,362.A

y This invention relates to the lmethod of v manufacturing wooden stavebaskets.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved method'of forming a straight-sidedwooden stave basket, and to provide an improved method of converting a standard rounded-bottom wooden stave basket into a straight-sided square-bottomed basket. .Y

Various illustrations showing the devices used in the different steps ofthe method are shown* in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a standard rounded-bottom bushel basket made of continuous wooden staves. Y

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical medial section of one of the forming dies which 'engages the rounded bottom ofthe basket.

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical medial section of the complementary straight-sided 'forming die upon which the rounded bottom basket is placed, a reformed baskety being shown in position thereon and the-die shown in Fig. 2illustrated in dotted'outline.

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of a complete reformed straight-sided basket having a square bottom, which has been made from the basket illustrated in Fi l1. y

For a long period o? time fruit and vegetables have been packed in rounded-bottom bushel baskets of the old standard type which have been manufactured for a great number of years. The general tendency at the present time, however, is to pack in straight-sided square-bottomed containers which can be stacked in shipping cars in a more stable manner and which have various other advantages. Y

In making such baskets of the newer type, the usual procedure is to manufacture the basket in the first instance with the Wooden staves abruptly crimped at the bottom of the basket when the basket is first formed on a basket-making machine. There still exists quite a demand and call for the older type of rounded-bottom basket and, for a factoryv to be able to supply both types, it has been necessary for them to be equipped with the two types of basket forming machines. These machines are large and expensive. Furthermore, in order to keep a stock on hand and to supply the needs of the trade, it has been necessary for the manufacturer to keep a stock of both typesof baskets, thereby carr'ingv practically adouble inventory of his pro uct. By use of the present method, the manufacturer need have only one type of basket-making machine, that type being the one for mak.H

ing the rounded-bottom basket of,` old style. Furthermore, he need carry in stock only the rounded-bottom type. Y In cases where the customer, desires to have the straight-sided squarefbottomedtype of basket, the roundedbottom baskets are taken from, storage and, after being suitably Asoftened around the botytom by the usual soaking in water, are then formed into the squarefbottom straight-sided baskets on a relatively simple and vinexpensive machine. y. Y

As illustrated in the drawings, aroundedbottom v,Wooden stave basket 1, as shownin Fi 1 ofthe dra-wings, is placed on a straightsi ed forming die 2, the die being such as to snugly fit the inside of the basket. A bottom hoop 3 is placed in a formin die 4 which has an annular rim 5 thereon or retaining the hoop 3 and holding the hoop against expanl sion or distortion. The central portion ofthe die 4 is provided with an annular platev projecting from the inner face thereof and `secured thereto byl suitable means such as studs 7. Washers or shims 8 may be interposed between the inner face of the die and the under side ofthe plate 6 for adjustably positioning the late with respect to the-die.

T e forming dies 2 and 4 are then moved toward each other in an axial direction by suitable machinery (not shown)` thereby causing the plate 6 and inner face of the die 4 to engage the rounded bottom 9 of the basket 1. VVAs the dies move together, the rounded bottom 9`is pressedinwardly, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, and the staves of the basket are abruptly crimped at the points 10 andv 11, and at the same time- The bottom of the basket isy pressed in wardly past the plane of the hoop 3. When the die 4 is retracted to its original position,

- the hoop 3 is retained on the basket 1 by the tendency of the bottom to spring outwardly toward its original position, i. e., the bottom lhaving been buckled past center, it will be necessary for the diameter' of the bottom to 2 y I p be slight-ly increased before the bottom vof 'the basket can return past the plane ofthe bottom hoop.Y n

The basket isvthen removed from the die 2 and the hoop 3 stitched thereon by the usual form of Wire stitching machine used in this Y industry. y

By varyingthe distancev which the pla-te 6 is spaced from the innel Yface of the die 2, the

capacity of the-basket may be changed to a Aconsiderable'degree.

f Although butone specific method has been herein shown and explained, it Will-be understood [that details of this method may be varied Within reasonable limits Without departingV from'the spirit of thisinyention vas deined by the following claims.

'lVe claim l. The method of forming 'a straighbsided concave-bottomed Wooden staye container from a'roun'ded bottom container' which coinprises the placl'ig 'of a bottom'hoop in a {orming; die, moving said die into "engagement with'the rounded bottom of said container to V74'concaye-bottomedy `Wooden stave Containern' form anv abrupt peripheral crimp in said rounded bottom and to press it into engagehient Vwith said hoop.

2. The method of forming a straight-sided from aroundedbottom container which coniprisesfthe' placing of a. bottom hoop in formino die movine saidrdie into en0`a0e- Y n? `J v a D 23 Y ment with the rounded bottom of said container to 'form an abruptvperipheral crimp in said rounded bottom andto press it into engagement-with said hoop7 said bottoni being buckled inwardly past the plane olz said hoop.

3. The method of forming a straight-sided lc"oiic'avebottomed basket from a rounded bottom basket Which comprisesthe placing of the rounded bottoni basket `on a straightsided forming die placing' a bottom hoop in a complementary'ormingdie and then press# ing the two dies together to foi-ni an abrupt peripheral 'crimp in said rounded bottom Vand topress'it intoengagement Vwith said bottom hoop, said hoop carrying die buckling the bot-toni of said basket inwardly past the plane of said-bottoni hoop, an'dthen securing` said hoop to said basket. Y

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set 'our hands at Shelby, Mi.cliigan,'tliis 6th day 

